Lace in lace – Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels
(BRUSSELS) – The Craft and Industrial Geographical Indication (CIGI) Regulation entered into force Thursday, marking a key milestone in the protection of the names of European craft and industrial products.
The Regulation will harmonise the protection of valuable European craft and industrial products, such as Limoges porcelain, Solingen knives, Carrara marble, or Madeira embroidery.
Member States, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), the Commission and stakeholders now have two years to prepare for full application of the new system, planned for December 2025.
Existing national geographical indications will cease to exist one year after the date of application of the regulation.
Names of craft and industrial products that meet necessary requirements for CIGI protection will now be safeguarded at EU level through a single registration covering the entire EU. Previously, for instance, producers of ‘Burgundy stone’ had to register their Geographical Indication in each EU Member State, if available, to combat infringements. With the CIGI Regulation, craft and industrial producers can now obtain protection in all 27 EU Member States with just one Geographical Indication registration.
The Regulation marks the internationalisation of European Craft and Industrial products by providing Geographical Indication protection for EU producers in markets of third countries that are Parties to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Geneva Act and under bilateral trade agreements. This means that EU Craft and Industrial producers will have the ability to seek international protection for their products’ names, enhancing their global competitiveness. Third country producers will also be able to seek protection under this new EU scheme for their well-known craft and industrial products that comply with the EU requirements.
